Half Model of a Screw Steamer 1865

This is a half model of a screw steamer by Rijkswerf Amsterdam. Without a specific date, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact historical moment it reflects. However, it's safe to say that this model exists within a nexus of technology, trade, and colonial expansion. Steamboats dramatically changed global trade routes, influencing economies and geopolitics as nations expanded their reach across oceans. The labor was often exploited, with colonial subjects and enslaved people frequently involved in resource extraction and maritime activities. Consider the lives of sailors and workers involved in building and operating ships like these. Their stories are integral to understanding the full picture of maritime history. Even in its silence, this model speaks of the human experiences, triumphs, and exploitations inherent in the age of steam.